(SS) Blanchard v. Commissioner of Social Security

I. Introduction

19 Plaintiff Doreen Blanchard (“Plaintiff”) seeks judicial review of the final decision of the 20 Commissioner of Social Security (“Commissioner” or “Defendant”) denying her application for 21 disability insurance benefits pursuant to Title II of the Social Security Act. The matter is 22 currently before the Court on the parties’ briefs which were submitted without oral argument to 23 the Honorable Gary S. Austin, United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 10 and 13. Having 24 reviewed the record as a whole, the Court finds that the ALJ’s decision is supported by substantial 25 evidence and applicable law. Accordingly, Plaintiff’s appeal is denied. 26 ///

1 The parties consented to the jurisdiction of the United States Magistrate Judge. See Docs. 5 and 6. II. Procedural Background On July 7, 2015, Plaintiff filed the pending application for disability insurance benefits alleging disability beginning June 15, 2013. AR 31. The Commissioner denied the application initially on January 7, 2016, and following reconsideration on March 10, 2016. AR 31. On March 22, 2016, Plaintiff filed a request for a hearing. AR 31. …